updo ideas

Why does Emma Watson always look so cool? Her latest updo gives us a chance to break it down a little. There are at least two things her updo is doing here that make it extra cool. Take note of her: 1. Wisp placement See how Emma's wisps originate lower on her head, near the ears instead of high up near her forehead? This makes them look modern and chic rather than '90s. 2. Hidden tiny braid The thing that makes this messy bun is that skinny fishtail braid that barely peeks out. The detail adds a little bit of mystery and edge, but because it's so small, it doesn't take the whole look into hippie territory (as braids easily can). How do you like Emma Watson's updo? Would you like to copy anything about it? Related: How to copy Charlize Theron's sparkly headband/bun combo! read more

It is dang hot in the New York metropolitan area today, and ain't nobody messing around with fussy hair. But before you slick it all back into a bun yet again, check out this cool how-to I just got from Butterfly Studio Salon—it's the perfect updo for steamy weather and requires little more skill than making a couple of basic pigtails. Butterfly Studio Salon stylist Jason J. Dougherty created this frizz-fighting braided updo that's meant to take you from the office to happy hour and even withstand a long, sticky commute. Here's his simple how-to. 1. Comb out any tangles. Apply a light oil, like Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, and work through the ends. 2. Center-part hair all the way to the back and divide it into two sections. Apply a smoothing balm, like Shu Uemura Touch of Gloss, to your roots/crown. 3. Comb hair nice and taut and make a thick French braid on one side of the head. Repeat on the other side. 4. Bring one braid up and anchor to your head with bobby pins. Repeat on the other side. That's it! All you have to do now is make plans for some after-work sidewalk read more

Since being a bridesmaid often means shelling out $$$ for a fancy dress and professional hairstyle, the latter might as well be one you really love (especially if the former is not). If formal updos aren't your thing, consider braiding instead—it looks just as dressed-up but with more of a bohemian vibe. Here's a brand-new red carpet braid to use as inspiration: the one Kate Bosworth wore to an event this week. "Kate's braided hairstyle was intricate and romantic to match the scenery at the Chateau Marmont and her gorgeous Valentino dress," says celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager, who created the look. Here's her how-to: 1. Generously apply a volumizing styling product. "I started by giving her hair a good douse of Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray, roots to ends." 2. Rough-dry the hair. "To set in texture and add thickness, I blew her hair dry using my hands, really concentrating on lifting the hair away from the scalp and up off of her head, especially around the hairline." 3. Create a not-too-perfect deep side part. Bridget calls this one "disheveled." 4. Braid. "Starting at the crown, along the part, I began braiding forward so the braid would fall toward her forehead read more

The hairstyle you wear out shopping can be so important—am I right, guys? I find that when I head out with a sloppy bun or kinda-frizzy blowout, every piece of clothing I try on in the fitting room has to work much harder to convince me of its cuteness. If, on the other hand, I took the time to add a little braid and sweep my hair up more prettily, like Ashley Greene did yesterday ... ...I can guarantee I'd have a more successful shopping day, because not only would I feel more pulled-together, my hair would be out of the way and not a distraction (one I have to attend to at every store mirror I walk by). Do any of you have a hairstyle you tend to wear when shopping? Do you put effort into your hairstyle before you shop, or do you usually just wear your lazy-weekend default hairstyle? read more

Lana Del Rey was walking around Paris yesterday with the perfect hair and makeup for such an occasion. Have you ever seen a white V-neck look this romantic? Here are three of the reasons Lana's low-key T-shirt ensemble looks so crazy-chic: 1. The hair piled high on her head. When in doubt, go for a high bun (even if it's not as thick as Lana's). The ballerina effect always elevates your style. 2. Fake lashes. Not everyone walks around wearing full lash strips in broad daylight, but that's exactly what makes them look so glamour-girl-off-duty. 3. No lip gloss. This matte pink lipstick is infinitely more glamorous (but in the quietest possible way). Now picture how cool she'd look with those glasses actually on. Do you love Lana Del Rey's romantic T-shirt hair and makeup as much as I do? What do you do with your hair and makeup when your outfit's basic? (Lately, I'm all about a simple braid and lots of eyeliner.) read more

We're experiencing a little bit of Kate Middleton withdrawal—we haven't seen much of her since her Australia-New Zealand tour wrapped up several weeks ago. But happily, another royal—a real live queen, in fact—just stepped out wearing a gorgeous royal hairstyle we can all daydream about. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (homeland of my mom!) appeared in Germany yesterday with this lovely rolled bun, so perfectly side-swept and shiny. Isn't it divine? I'd actually love to see our favorite duchess try this look out sometime as well. Wouldn't you? (It's so rare we see her in an updo.) Do you love this royal hairstyle as much as I do? And what hairstyle do you hope Kate Middleton wears when we glimpse her next? read more

Looking for a way to do something a little different with your hair for an upcoming bridesmaid gig this season—or for a wedding you'll be attending as a guest? I just learned a fun new braiding trick, and it lets you take the usual little updo accent braids a step further. Here's a step-by-step how-to I did with stylist Tonya Cuozzo at Zion the Hair Salon in Madison, N.J. (the same day I tried out that easy crisscross bun for you). My lovely model: My (eight-months-pregnant!) sister-in-law Jessica. 1. Start by making a regular three-strand braid. 2. After you've braided your way down several inches, grab one of the three strands you've been braiding and pull it taut. Let the other two sections loosen a bit, then slide them upward (while still holding that center strand taut). The braid will compact and take on a ropelike shape. 3. Keep braiding and pushing up, working your way down the section. Every so often, incorporate a strand from the loose hair outside the braid, as you do when French-braiding, to anchor your rope braid to your scalp. 4. Pin your rope braid back along your head so it'll disappear into your bun. read more

Jenna Elfman took a risk with her hair and makeup for an event yesterday and seriously killed the red carpet. I think so, anyway. Do you agree? She wore what looked like a rose-gold eyeshadow encircling her entire eye—like a metallic play on smoky eyes—and her lashes were really lacquered up and feathery. Her hair was also dramatic: a very one-sided updo with a cascade of tendrils falling out. The back was textured and wavy, with small sections pinned to give it a piece-y effect. This hair and makeup might not be for everyone, but I love it on Jenna; it's fun and just a little offbeat yet still age-appropriate and not trying too hard. Sure, eyeshadow like this can always make your eyes seem a bit pinker, but I still like the surprising impact. Can't wait to see if you agree! Chime on in, ladies! read more

What the heck? How is it humanly possible that professional pretty person Olivia Palermo always has perfect hair and makeup? Not even our favorite A-list celebs get it right ALL the time the way she does. The latest Olivia look I'm all swoony over: her dramatic black smoky eyes and center-parted updo, which she wore to the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris (what a parade of prettiness is going on over there this week!). To add depth and definition to her shimmering gray eyeshadow, Olivia's eyes were tight-lined in black liquid liner and mascara was piled on her upper and lower lashes. Shiny charcoal is underneath her lower lash line to complete the smoky effect. As for the hair, it was parted in the center and swept into a high twisty bun. Truly, Olivia defies all laws of the beauty universe and never seems to have an off day. No. Fair. And now I'll return to my frizzy ponytail and undereye circles. Photo: Getty Images read more

This post goes out to all you ladies who A) need a new humid-weather hair idea, B) are kind of over braids, C) have two left hands and can't really make a good braid anyway, D) have fine or super-curly hair that doesn't braid well, or E) all of the above. At the Versace Haute Couture show in Paris over the weekend, Uma Thurman wore the most gorgeous twisted hairstyle. She added that hair accessory of the moment, the simple black ribbon, tied at the nape of her neck. Note how using a very thin black ribbon feels more summer-appropriate than the thicker versions we saw in winter/spring—and it would also work perfectly for keeping wisps and baby hairs off your forehead during hot weather (without resembling a gym headband). What do you think of this hair idea on Uma Thurman? Would you try it? Photo: Getty Images read more

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love, Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E big hair. Never met a larger-than-life bun or head full of wild 'n' crazy curls I didn't like. Allow me to add actress Charisma Carpenter's Bride of Frankenstein-esque 'do to that list. Completely enthralled? Yeah, me too. Come to think of it, this look reminds me of the mega-mass-of-hair we saw on Nicole Kidman a few weeks back... But I digress. I mean, yes, it looks like it's a little heavy, and I'm not entirely sure how her hairstylist got that much volume back there, but I'm 100 percent sure I don't care. This particular teased-to-perfection updo works for these three reasons: 1) It's a simple concept executed in a risky, dramatic style that paid off handsomely. I'm ALL about the drama when it comes to hair. (But you probably already knew that.) 2) It appears all messy and intricate but still touchable and quite romantic. (Total wedding hair idea; I'd love to see a bohemian bride give it a go on her big day.) 3) The double-wrapped plain black elastic headband acts as a barrier to all that volume. The boost at her hairline is read more

It's no secret that Victoria Beckham has an uncanny knack for proportions and balance—it's why her clothing is so insanely flattering and so surreally sexy. I mean, she wrote an entire book about the difference That Extra Half an Inch can make. So it comes as no surprise that Lady Becks is my new updo muse; here she is modeling the perfect height/level of teasing during her visit to China to promote her collection. YES. Now that is the ultimate chic, classic French twist. The just-so height of the roots makes it look unstuffy and just a little sexpot-ish but in a subtle, not-trying-too-hard way. How do you like Victoria Beckham's updo? Find it as perfect as I do? Photo: Getty Images read more

There are some things that summer would not be summer without, including, but not limited to: flip-flops, watermelon, ice cream, sundresses, and braids. Yes, braids make my list—because much like Daisy Dukes, even if you're not personally wearing 'em, they're a big part of the scenery this season. That said, we must pause for a moment to check out Kendra Wilkinson's extreme version of summer braids, which she showed off at a Veet pool party in Hollywood over the weekend. That's a lot of braid right there. It's the ultimate summer hairstyle in that it keeps those strands totally contained and out of the way while still providing plenty of visual intrigue. Do you guys like this look? Would you wear it (assuming you don't have to do it yourself and end up with numb arms after an hour of styling)? Let's talk hair below! Photos: Getty Images read more

Beautiful braided updos come a dime a dozen on the red carpet, but every now and then we see one that really stands out. Take this look worn by Spanish actress Blanca Suarez to the L.A. premiere of her new film, I'm So Excited, for example. In the front it looks simple and standard, right? Wait until you see the back and around the sides. Seriously, whoever is responsible for the brunette stunner's strands deserves an award. Now I'm just spitballing, but here's how I think it was done: *The hair is loosely French braided across her head from the left ear over to the right, then it continues on around the back and over toward the left ear, before it's secured into an off-to-the-side ponytail. *A small section of hair is wrapped around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic band, and the pony is braided down to the ends before it's pinned alongside the French braid. *A cluster of flowers (lilies?) are pinned along one side to finish it off. Realllllllllllllllllllly pretty, right? It's boho enough to work for a lazy Saturday afternoon full of running errands and grabbing brunch, but it's also incredibly romantic—I'm actually read more

I might actually get motivated to do something new with my hair this weekend, after seeing this adorable (and yet also incredibly chic) hairstyle idea on model turned blogger-photographer Hanneli Mustaparta. It's a total throwback to summers past—did you wear those multi-segmented, multi-elastic ponytails in grade school too?—yet modern in it sleekness and clean lines. Then again, it's even kind of a play on the faux-hawk, and thus slightly edgy. It's perfect for summer in that it lets you slick your hair back and forget about nonsense like frizz and grease. It would look just as nice with a tank top and cutoff shorts as it would with a cocktail dress for a wedding. Therefore, I am hereby declaring it my fave new hairstyle idea of Summer 2013. Are you inspired to try this hairstyle idea soon too? Photo: Getty Images read more

Nicole Kidman has really been pushing the hairstyle envelope while in Cannes. First we gawked at her awesome faux-hawk ponytail. Now, check out the major braided updo she wore to last night's end-of-festival press conference. What really stands out about this updo—aside from the fact that it literally stands out a lot—is how there's no delineation where the mass of hair meets Nicole's head. It's just one flowing wave of hair and braids. I'm curious to hear whether you ladies like this effect. It's definitely a new and artistic take, almost like a cross between the faux bob and an updo. Personally I find it a bit odd, but maybe I'm just grumpy after a big Memorial Day weekend of partying (a college friend's wedding—I'm exhausted). What do you think of Nicole Kidman's braided updo from the Cannes red carpet? Photo: Getty Images read more

If you spend any time on Pinterest, you may have seen the following wedding hairstyles—some of them have gotten re-pinned thousands of times. But just because something's trending doesn't make it right. What do you think of these popular wedding hair ideas? 1. Too-creative braids. I'm all about a wedding braid, but this one is a little...loopy. Source: hairstylespinterest.blogspot.com via Petra on Pinterest And this one gives me chills in a bad way. Snake! Source: altamodabridal.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest 2. "Exotic" flowers. Flowers in your hair and flowers made of hair—there's a big difference. Source: fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net via Petra on Pinterest Source: google.ru via Petra on Pinterest 3. Overwrought updos. I think these two were going for "messy updo" but ended up confused and overcomplicated instead. Source: confettidaydreams.com via Confetti DayDreams on Pinterest Source: happypretty.tumblr.com via Petra on Pinterest 4. XXL curls. Yes, one can argue that one's wedding is the ultimate "go big or go home" hair moment. But when you could hide your groom under there, perhaps you've taken the teasing a tad too far? Source: longhairstyleshowto.com via Petra on Pinterest Source: hairandbeautypics.blogspot.gr via Petra on Pinterest 5. Too many tuck-ins. Sticking some little pearls or blossoms throughout read more

That old saying about rules being made to be broken? It's especially true when you're a bride. After all, if there's any day when you can declare yourself queen of the universe and do whatever suits your fancy, it's your wedding day. Here are a few examples of beauty rules that are pretty much meant to be broken when you're a bride. The rule: Wear dramatic eyes or lips, but not both. Why brides can break it: If your wedding hair is styled down to the last strand and your dress is a serious head-turner (especially a heavily beaded head-turner!), doing strong makeup on your eyes and lips provides balance and brings the focus back to your face. Plus, it makes your features look great in photos. The rule: Don't apply too many coats of mascara or it'll clump. Why brides can break it: Oh, go ahead, pile on the mascara—as long as it's waterproof, of course. You want your eyes to look more amazing than ever and pop in photos, and let's be honest, none of your guests are going to be focusing on the minutia of your individual lashes, especially after a couple pinot grigios. Same goes read more

I think my heart actually skipped a beat when I saw this rose-shaped bun on Pinterest earlier this week. It's so simple and elegant yet totally unique—and so perfect for a bride. Source: fonrenovatio.tumblr.com via Petra on Pinterest Here are a handful more hopelessly romantic wedding updo ideas I want to share with you, starting with a Downton Abbey-worthy swooped look. Source: chellisemichaelphotography.com via Petra on Pinterest Another idea: Instead of winding your hair into a bun or twist, tuck the ends under in this charming fashion. Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com via Petra on Pinterest Or what about this swept-to-one-side, 1920s look with a statement headband? This one is so unforgettable. Source: stylemepretty.com via Petra on Pinterest Finally, join me in swooning over this graceful low updo adorned with a heartbreakingly beautiful Jennifer Behr hairpiece. Source: stylemepretty.com via Petra on Pinterest Do you find these wedding updo ideas as romantic as I do? Which charms you the most? read more